Another eminent politician from Kerry's past

Continuing my meanderings about prominent Kerry political figures from the past, this is a summary of the life of one of the most eminent, and oft forgotten, former Oireachtas members from Kerry.

Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha  (1883 - 1964) was, at various stages of his life, a republican activist, a prolific writer, chairman of Kerry County Council and a member of Seanad Éireann.

Best known for his very significant literary achievements, O Siochfhradha (Patrick Sugrue, pictured right) was a teacher from Dingle who worked as a civil servant and author and was a renowned advocate for the Irish language. His brother Mícheál O Siochfhradha was also well known as an Irish language enthusiast and writer.

Also known by the Irish name ‘An Seabhac’, he was active in the Irish Volunteers and was imprisoned a number of times for drilling. From 1922 to 1932 he worked with the Department of Education and became editor of the Educational Company of Ireland in 1932.

His literary output was extensive and includes an autobiographical ‘Jimín Mháire Thaidhg’ and many Irish language fiction pieces. He was also president of Oireachtas na Gaeilge for many years.

Ó Siochfhradha's political career began in 1920 when he was elected to Kerry County Council for the Tralee Electoral Division and he was chairman of the local authority from 1920 until the Council’s dissolution on 9 May 1923.

Eamon de Valera appointed O Siochfhradha to the Seanad on 22 February 1946 but he did not contest the 1948 Seanad election. He was re-appointed by de Valera following the general elections of 1951 and 1961.

O Siochfhradha lived for most of his life in Donnybrook in County Dublin and was involved in drama and worked with the Irish Manuscripts Commission for four years. He died in 1964. He was replaced in the Seanad by Kit Ahern from Ballybunion, who was later a Fianna Fáil TD for Kerry North.